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FIVE LOCAL junks kickbacks Romualdez HOLIDAYS IN OCT. tale as ‘complete fabrication’ NEWS / A3
recommendation of former Rep. Mike Defensor. “I was deeply surA FORMER soldier prised to hear the alleyesterday claimed begation raised against fore the Senate Blue me today before the Ribbon committee that VOL. XXXVIII • NO. 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 •MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 • Senate Blue227• Ribbon he delivered bags of A6 Committee—that sevmoney to theWORLD homes/ of VOL. XXXIX • NO. 221 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2025 • eral pieces of luggage Leyte First District Rep. supposedly containing Martin Romualdez and Rep. money were ever deZaldy Co. PAGASA livered to a residence Romualdez, associated with me,” however, was quick to dismiss 'I will fight back— not Romualdez said. According to Marthe testimony of with rhetoric, but with coleta, former AnakaluEx-Marines sugan party-list Rep. Orly Guteza, who evidence.' Mike Defensor called was presented by him on Wednesday Senator Rodante — Rep. Martin G. and introduced him to Marcoleta to the Romualdez Next page committee on the
By Maricel V. Cruz
ISRAEL CONTINUES TO POUND HEZBOLLAH
PNP resurrecting Infraprobe corruption scandalslay deepens into PCSO official's —“—
Gov’t readies P1.48b aid as 'Julian' strengthens
THE government has readied P1.48 billion worth of aid for communities that may be hit hard by typhoon ‘Julian’ which PAGASA says could turn into a supertyphoon. As of 5:00 PM on Sunday, PAGASA raised Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 3 over Batanes and the northeastern portion of Babuyan Islands. “’Julian’ is forecast to continue intensifying over the next 24-36 Bernardo admitted he was aware of the dishonest conBy Ram Superable and Pot Chavez hours as it moves towards Batanes tracting practices ofand/or the people belowIslands. him including the Babuyan With the so-called "BGC Boys," which include dismissed memcurrent trend in its intensification, ORMER Department of Public bers of the DPWH Bulacan first district office the possibility of engineering reaching super (DEO) such as Henry Alcantara, Brice Hernandez, Jaypee Works and Highways (DPWH) typhoon category is not ruled out,” Mendoza, and ArjayPAGASA Domasig. said in its advisory. undersecretary for operations Roberto He, however, claimed he had nothe personal knowledge Meanwhile, National DisasBernardo yesterday named more highof the exact actionster theyRisk took Reduction and relied on secondhand and Manageinformation from them. ment Council (NDRRMC) said that profile figures as the Senate Blue Ribbon Next page a total of 1.9 million family food Committee continued its inquiry into graftpacks worth P1.48 billion, other food items worth P276 million, and ridden flood control projects. non-food items (NFIs) worth P919 million were already prepared by In a sworn statement, the ex-DPWH official alleged that the the Department of Social Welfare extent of corruption involved former Senate President Francis and Development (DSWD). "Chiz" Escudero, former senator and now Makati City Mayor Some P171 million in standby Nancy Binay, former Senator Ramon ‘Bong’ Revilla, Jr., Ako fund is also available for utilization Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, Commission on Audit (COA) by the DSWD, including P123 milCommissioner Mario Lipana, and Education Undersecretary lion which can be allotted as Quick Trygve Olaivar. Response Fund (QRF) in the central office of the DSWD. In Batanes, the Provincial DiNOTHING BUT THE saster Risk Reduction and ManageTRUTH. Former DPWH ment Office (PDRRMO) advised Usec. Roberto Bernardo, residents to secure their roofs and left, swears to tell the truth install window shutters as Typhoon before naming Rep. Zaldy Julian is expected to make landfall Co, Senator Chiz Escudero,
Bersamin, Escudero, Binay deny corruption involvement Former Usec. Bernardo links other officials Speaker grateful for PMA Class '83 vote of confidence in Quad Comm to kickbacks in tainted DPWH projects
berto Bernardo, where he claimed that a portion of unprogrammed DPWH funds, amounting to some P2.85 billion, was earmarked for the Office of the Executive Secretary (OES). "I deny the imputation contained in the sworn its investigation into EXECUTIVE Secrestatement … the murder of tary 2020 Lucas Bersamin about the delivery strongly deniedCharity accuof 'agreed 15% Philippine sations that his office commitment' supSweepstakes Office'I stand by my accepted 15 percent posedly for the untarnished record as kickbacks from inOffice of the Ex(PCSO) board secretary frastructure projects, ecutive Secretary. a long-serving public Wesley calling the Barayuga. claim "not The imputation servant' true" and "baseless." is not true,” BerOn PNP Chief Police The Sunday, allegation samin said in a General Francisco Marstemmed Rommel from the statement. — Executive Secretary bil said he ordered the reopening of sworn testimony He clarified Lucas Bersamin the after whistleblower of cold formercaseDPWH that the OES "has Police Lt. Col. Santie Undersecretary Ro- Mendoza told Next page the House Quad Committee that he helped carry out the killing at the behest of ex-PCSO general manager Royina Garma. Mendoza narrated before congressmen how Garma allegedly facilitated the PCSO official’s roadside assassination on July 30, 2020 by providing the necessary information Makati City Mayor Nancy about his schedule, details about his Next page Binay, former Senator Bong vehicle and the funding necessary to Revilla and DepEd A WEB OF CRIME? House leaders Aurelio Gonzales and David Suarez presented this matrix during the lastUsec. QUAD carry it out. Trygve Olaivar as allegedly Comm hearing which shows the operations of a criminal syndicate allegedly led by fugitive Michael Yang, then economic The whistleblower also implicated involved in involved the anomalous adviser of former President Rodrigo Duterte, that controlled the illegal activities of the POGOs and was in the drug incumbent National Police Comflood control projects during trade and extrajudicial killings. missioner Edilberto Leonardo in the the Senate Blue Ribbon committee hearing led, by planning of the murder. Sen. Ping Lacson. Barayuga was a retired police Lino Santos general and lawyer who supposedly threatened to expose corruption within the PCSO shortly before he was THE Philippine government on shot dead in Mandaluyong City. Sunday publicly called for the UnitGarma, herself an ex-police Lt. THE legal counsel of Chinese adviser of former President Rodrigo of illegal drugs and illegal activities ed Nations (UN) to give it a seat on Colonel, allegedly gained the top businessman Tony Yang sought to Duterte. associated with POGOs,” Suarez said the UN Security Council, highlightspot at the PCSO because of her indisparage lawmakers’ conclusions Fortun, a lawyer who often finds in a mixture of Filipino and English. ing the country’s strong record and Next page about his client’s supposedly himself at the center high-profile The solons explained how the dedication to upholding the rule of sketchy past and his alleged ties cases, apparently sought to mock matrix details Yang’s connections to law. LOWER POLICY RATE. Presidentwith Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. meets with officials of the Bangko Sentral and Department Philippine Overseas Gaming congressmen, calling their probe other individuals involved in illicit Department of Foreign Affairs of Finance where it was decided to lower the policy rate to(POGOs) 5% from 5.25% that this will also help in job Operators and which evenis expected “unacceptable.” activities, including the operations of By Rex Espiritu (DFA) Secretary Enrique Manalo in creation and the continued stabilization oforganized our economy. crime. However, House members argued illegal POGOs. a speech delivered at the UN GenLawyer Raymond Fortun they did not come by their suspicions Among the companies implicated THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on eral Assembly in New York said the questioned the House Quad about Yang recklessly. are Brickhartz Technology Inc. Thursday rejected circulatingCo. claims Philippines continues to emphasize Committee’s impartiality and its On Friday, Senior Deputy Speaker and Xionwei Technology Ltd.,of destabilization andare an alleged coup plot theFer“importance of upholding the ability to pin Chinese national Yang Aurelio Gonzales Jr. of Pampanga which being linked to against allegedPresident dinand Marcos Jr., calling them a baseless and rule of law and the integrity of the down for ay wrongdoing in a real and Deputy Speaker David Suarez of kidnapping. unfounded ‘‘malicious narrative.’’ multilateral system in the face of tocriminal court. Quezon presented a matrix showing The two firms supposedly ‘‘The Armed Forces of the the Philipday’s global challenges.” classes at all levels in Metro Manila, The move follows the recommen“I am very interested in how they Yang’s first appearance and his have connections with Baofu By Charles Dantes pines (AFP) rejects malicious narraQuoted by reports, Manalo also Biliran, Comm Easternmembers] Samar, Northern Sadation of theactivities National at Disaster Risk [Quad can prove subsequent the Quad Compound in Bamban, Tarlac, tives about supposed plans to unseat said: “The Philippines has consismar, criminal Samar, Masbate, Reduction and Management Council this network Romblon in court. and In Comm hearing. which, in turn, can be directly traced MALACAÑANG has ordered the the President or launch destabilizatently pursued peace, the sovereign Sorsogon are suspended. (NDRRMC) to ensure public safety Congress, lawmakers act as both “We saw a pattern, and we tracked to disgraced ex-mayor Alice Guo. suspension of work in government tionDuring efforts. These claims are baseequality of states, the rights and digClasses at all levels are also suspendamid forecasts of widespread rainfall prosecutor and judge,” he said. it to the top of these corporations... Friday’s Quad Comm offices and classes at all levels in sevless, unfounded, andcited far removed nity of all persons.” ed Yang, in Aklan,who Albay,already Antique, Batangas, brought by Opong. admitted we stripped it of its layers , to get to hearing, lawmakers Tony Yang eral provinces and regions nationwide from reality,’’ AFP Public Affairs He added that the country is also Bataan, Camarines Norte, Camarines is forecast landfall having a fake Philippine birth theOpong top and through to it make all, we have in contempt for “lying” to about his for Friday, Sept. 26, asSevere TropiOffice chief Col. Xerxes Trinidad recognized as the “first Asian ReSur, Capiz, Cavite, Catanduanes, Guiover Northern Samar or the northern certificate, is the brother of Michael discovered and identified at least two businesses and business partners. cal Storm Opong is forecast to bring Next page said. maras, Iloilo, Laguna, Leyte, Marinportion of Eastern Samar today (FriYang, a presidential economic main actors or players in the issue heavy rains and strong winds. Next page Next page duque, Negros Occidental, Oriental day) early morning before heading Work in government offices and Next page Mindoro, Rizal, and Quezon.
By Maricel V. Cruz, Charles Dantes, By Rio N. Araja Ram Superable, Joel E. HE Zurbano, Philippine and Katrina National Police Manubay (PNP) is reopening
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Yang's lawyer mocks probers amid heated inquiry
DOTr’s Bautista says online news No gov’t work, classes in Metro, seven provinces report‘unfounded'
Brian Hosaka is Executive By Darwin Amojelar Director of ICI BAUTISTA
TRANSPORTATION Secretary Jaime By Charles Bautista deniedDantes an online news report claiming that Malacañang was angry PRESIDENT Ferdinand with the increase in airport "Bongbong" fees without Marcos Jr. named formermembers. Supreme the approval of the Cabinet Court (SC) spokesperson Brian “The Bilyonaryo article is Keith maliHosakaand as executive director of thesaid Incious unfounded,” Bautista dependent for Infrastrucin a Viber Commission message, referring to the ture (ICI), Malacañang website that published the announced said story. Wednesday. is inconsistent,” he added. “Bilyonaryo In a transmittal letter dated SeptemBilyonaryo reported online that ber 24, addressed to ICI Chairperson “Bautista and his long-time protege in Andres Reyes, Executive Secretary Philippine Airlines, Undersecretary for Lucas Bersamin confirmed presiAviation and Airports Bobbythe Lim, are dential appointment and directed the at the center of the storm after it was commission to formally notify Hosaka of his new post. Next page page Next
Navy spokes debunks China claim of military exercises in Scarborough shoal By Rex Espiritu THE Philippine Navy debunked on Sunday the recent announcement by China that it conducted military exercises off Bajo de Masinloc, also known as Scarborough Shoal, in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). China reportedly made the announcement coinciding with the fourth Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity between the Philippines, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and the United States within Manila’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the regional waters over the weekend. Philippine Navy Spokesperson for WPS Rear Admiral Roy Vin-
cent Trinidad told reporters that Manila troops did not monitor any such activity, adding that Beijing’s statement was meant only for its internal audience. “Our troops did not observe any exercise, we have to understand that sometimes, China is doing this for their internal audience, right? For them not to look weak and embarrassed,” Trinidad said. Two Chinese warships were monitored at a distance ranging from eight to 14 nautical miles. One of these went up to 1,000 yards at the MMCA site but eventually went away. “It was not threatening, just normal,” accordNext page
PH lobbies UN for Security Council seat
Alleged coup plot vs PBBM ‘far removed from reality’
Sanchez wins 20th America’s Got Talent show
By Angelica Villanueva FILIPINO-American singer Jessica Sanchez has been named the champion of America’s Got Talent (AGT) Season 20, capping off a journey that began nearly two decades ago when she first auditioned for the show as a child. AWARD. Hans Sy, Texas-born Chairman of the Executive Committee of SM Prime Holdings, The 30-year-old was honored Philippine performer, whobyisthe nine monthsRetailers Association (PRA) with its Outstanding Filipino Retailers President Award for his visionary leadership in retail development. pregnant with her first daughter, (From left to right): PRA Director and Director of SM Retail Jorge T. Mendiola, PRA delivered an amazing rendiVice President and President and COO of Golden, ABC, Inc. (The Penshoppe Group) tion of T.Lady Gaga and Bruno Chairman of the Executive Committee Hans T. Sy, Alice Liu, SM Prime Holdings Mars’s duet “Die With PRA President and ChairmanAof Quorum International, Inc. (Toby’s Sports) Roberto Smile” during Tuesday night’s S. Claudio, and PRA Director and President of Sportshouse Int’l. Leisure, Inc. and (Wednesday proponent in of Manila) PRA OFRfinale. President’s Award Mars C. Chua Next page